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Pattern Tip

Started by HenrySidneyKG, June 03, 2008, 02:10:34 PM

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HenrySidneyKG

OK, so call this an unsolicited tip.

For those that use paper patterns, consider going to your local hardware store and get a roll of Tyvek.  Yes, the stuff they wrap houses with.  Transfer your pattern to the Tyvek and you now have a pattern that will not rip and withstands many, many pinholes! 

The only downside I've found is that Tyvek abhores heat and will melt to a carelessly placed iron in a heartbeat.

Hope that this helps,

Sir Henry

sealion

I've taken the tissues patterns that I wish to use more than once and ironed then onto fusible interfacing. I bought a bolt of it with a JoAnn's 40% off coupon.
Cindy/Ciana Leonardi di Firenze/Captain Cin

isabelladangelo

Muslin works very well (and it can be ironed!  ;) )  Cut your pattern out on a muslin first and now you can use the muslin over and over again as the pattern.  Just remember to take a sharpie to it and name the pattern pieces something you will remember later on (like 1550's Italian Gown Front). 


DragonWing

 ;)  All wonderful tips. thanks
Dragon rider and mage,
(aka Vince)

gem

Quote from: isabelladangelo on June 03, 2008, 02:17:05 PM
Muslin works very well (and it can be ironed!  ;) )  Cut your pattern out on a muslin first and now you can use the muslin over and over again as the pattern.  Just remember to take a sharpie to it and name the pattern pieces something you will remember later on (like 1550's Italian Gown Front). 

I go you one farther:  I jot down the *date* I made the thing, too, plus things like whether I need to add seam allowances, etc.  My one caveat about muslin is that it might stretch/distort a bit, so staystitching curves isn't a bad idea....

Pipere

My old sewing teacher had a son who worked in the radiology department at a hospital- she traced her onto used x-ray films!
Margraffin Katya Ghuttzout- Vulgarian overlady
Balquis al-Quasim- Turkish assassin
& the lazy college student Jeni

CountessofPhoenix

We have one of those great big tablets 24x36 and the pages are real thick. I use those for patterns I plan on using over and over.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

verymerryseamstress

Medium-weight stabilizer works well, too.  You can buy a 100-yard roll of 40" stabilizer for $49.99.  These folks often send out coupons too.  When I used bine, I bough it for $39 for 100 yards:
http://www.threadart.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=3537

(This same company also sells really nice, affordable, dupioni in just about every color under the sun. )

I'm your very merry seamstress.  How may I help you?

Athena

Thanks for the tips! I've got a couple of patterns that have seen better days and this will really help!
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese Proverb

silverstah

Quote from: gem on June 03, 2008, 04:09:55 PM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on June 03, 2008, 02:17:05 PM
Muslin works very well (and it can be ironed!  ;) )  Cut your pattern out on a muslin first and now you can use the muslin over and over again as the pattern.  Just remember to take a sharpie to it and name the pattern pieces something you will remember later on (like 1550's Italian Gown Front). 

I go you one farther:  I jot down the *date* I made the thing, too, plus things like whether I need to add seam allowances, etc.  My one caveat about muslin is that it might stretch/distort a bit, so staystitching curves isn't a bad idea....

This is what I do - use muslin, and write the date on the pattern.  This helps a great deal when fitting fitted things like self-supportive bodices or gowns - your body shape can change drastically with even a 5 lb weight fluctuation, so knowing where you were when the pattern was fit is very helpful. :)
Catarina Caravello - Mistress of the Bobbins
\"Arrrgh.  Feed Dogs.  Arrrgh.\"  -The Pirate, sewing

Lady Rosalind

I use a roll of 24" artists tracing paper, and write the pattern name, number, size, date, and who it was made for. If I go through multiple version trying to get something to fit, I can cut things apart if needed, and just trace over the final version so I can toss the rough drafts. Very inexpensive at about $5 a roll... and it irons well, too!

silverstah

Quote from: Lady Rosalind on June 04, 2008, 09:29:13 AM
I use a roll of 24" artists tracing paper, and write the pattern name, number, size, date, and who it was made for. If I go through multiple version trying to get something to fit, I can cut things apart if needed, and just trace over the final version so I can toss the rough drafts. Very inexpensive at about $5 a roll... and it irons well, too!

Oooh - where do you get the 24" tracing paper on a roll?
Catarina Caravello - Mistress of the Bobbins
\"Arrrgh.  Feed Dogs.  Arrrgh.\"  -The Pirate, sewing

Kate XXXXXX

I usually just trace patterns onto dot & cross paper, and iron it after use...  It lasts well, is dirt cheap bought on the roll, and any scruffy corners can be mended by either gluing a bit more paper over them or by the application of a bit of Mefix tape.  Patterns like this usually do 10 or more uses.  treated carefully a tissue pattern will last 8 times, though you may have to mend the well-pinned corners...   :)

I've never seen the point of making a pattern more permanent.  After 10+ makings I'll be fed up with it and want something different, have changed size and need a different one anyway,  or need three or more different sizes for a 15 garment project to start with...  ;D

Lady Rosalind

#13
Quote from: silverstah on June 04, 2008, 09:50:30 AM
Quote from: Lady Rosalind on June 04, 2008, 09:29:13 AM
I use a roll of 24" artists tracing paper, and write the pattern name, number, size, date, and who it was made for. If I go through multiple version trying to get something to fit, I can cut things apart if needed, and just trace over the final version so I can toss the rough drafts. Very inexpensive at about $5 a roll... and it irons well, too!

Oooh - where do you get the 24" tracing paper on a roll?

One of the benefits of working in a design college is that we have our own supply store... I would imagine that you coule find it in an Artist Supply store... I have not looked in Hobby Lobby or anything, so maybe they have it, too... I may have been mistaken on the price though... It might have been more like $6-7/roll...

Pascal

Quote from: silverstah on June 04, 2008, 09:50:30 AM
Oooh - where do you get the 24" tracing paper on a roll?

I've ordered it from Dick Blick (art supplies) before.  Just Google 'em.